Rash of killings plagues Algiers

On Inwood Avenue in Tall Timbers, the worst crime that residents used to hear about was the rare robbery or theft. But early Saturday morning, an 18-year-old high school student was killed in his front yard, becoming Algiers' sixth homicide victim in four weeks.

Jared Francis, who was shot several times and died a short time later at Interim LSU Public Hospital, was Algiers' 17th homicide this year, a pace slightly ahead of last year's tally, according to the New Orleans Police Department.

But while the recent spike in killings -- it has seen almost half the slayings logged in the city during the past month -- might seem unsettling, authorities and Algiers civic leaders said the West Bank community still enjoys one of the lowest crime rates in New Orleans.

Police Lt. Gary Marchese said the bump in killings is an "aberration" and investigators have solid leads in a number of the cases. He said the crimes should be looked at individually because each has its own set of circumstances.

Lee, 34, was shot to death in her Hendee Street home. A day later, police arrested her boyfriend, Gary Burnett, 27, and booked him with second-degree murder. The couple had a history of domestic violence, officials said.

Story by

Andrea Shaw

and Katherine Fretland

Staff writers

Attorney Val Exnicios, who is chairman of the Algiers Council of Neighborhood Presidents, said the recent bump hasn't caused alarm among its members, who regularly meet with the NOPD's 4th District command at Algiers Police Advisory Committee meetings.

"When you delve into the particulars, each one was unique," Exnicios said before Francis' homicide, recounting the discussion at a recent advisory committee meeting. "It was either domestic or drug-related or a drug-related retaliation hit or a they're-homing-in-on-my-territory-type hit or a 'disrespected' hit."

The six most recent slayings were spread throughout Algiers but mostly occurred in neighborhoods, such as Old Algiers, that have historically had episodic violence. But authorities have a number of promising tips, and Marchese expects developments in some of the cases in the next few days.

"We have some really good leads. One of them we believe is retaliation," Marchese said, adding that the narcotics trade is believed to be a factor in others. "I would say citizens have nothing to worry about."

'We're on high alert'

After Francis' killing Saturday, though, neighbors felt uneasy.

Nedra Kelly lives across Inwood Avenue from the scene of the homicide, the front yard of the reddish-brown brick house in the 3700 block where Francis lived.

The neighborhood is relatively quiet, and the violence was unexpected, Kelly said. The homicide happened two doors from the home that won the Tall Timbers neighborhood "yard of the month" award; a sign was proudly displayed Saturday on the lush lawn.

"Everybody in the block knows everybody," Kelly said. "Everybody helps everybody out if they can. We've never had any kind of problems like this. We were comfortable sitting outside, so that's something we're going to have to worry about."

Brian and Lisa Benefield, who live on Inwood with their 4-year-old daughter, also felt the violence was unusual. They knew the young man as pleasant. Brian Benefield said crime regularly affects Tullis Drive about a half-mile away, but violence had not spilled onto their street before Saturday.

"We're on high alert," he said.

Police response praised

Sgt. Henry Laurent, the 4th District's assistant commander, is well plugged into Algiers neighborhoods and works hard at developing the intelligence required to solve crimes.

"He is relentless," Marchese said of Laurent. "He works in Algiers and lives in Algiers and has dedicated his life to the community."

Civic leaders said police response has improved in recent weeks, officers are seeking more information and patrols have picked up.

View full sizeMichael DeMocker / The Times-PicayuneJust after 9:30 pm, New Orleans police investigate the shooting death of a Cedric Brown, 22, in the 6700 block of Maumus Avenue in lower Algiers on Friday, September 7, 2012.

"One of the greatest deterrents to crime is visibility," Exnicios said. "People don't commit a crime when they see a police car coming down the street. We have been extremely pleased with the new policies, new procedures and new accountability that (4th District) Commander (Brian) Weiss has implemented."

Algiers Point Association President Stan Gallagher was carjacked near his home Tuesday around 10:30 p.m. He said detectives arrived within four minutes of the call to 911.

"It was really quick. The officers were really pleasant," he said, adding that they returned twice more for additional details.

And residents are doing their part as well. Although Algiers Point hasn't had a homicide since the high-profile slaying of Mike Ainsworth in January, neighbors have mounted a campaign in conjunction with Project NOLA to install 75 to 100 surveillance cameras there. So far, they've got 44.

Gallagher said Ainsworth's death spurred the effort. Ainsworth was shot to death in front of his young sons while trying to stop a carjacking.

"We've had success with folks being caught with these," Gallagher said, adding that the cameras, which are pointed at the street, give police another tool to build solid cases.

While residents should take note of the homicides, overall crime statistics tell the real story, Exnicios said. "It's really the only accurate way to evaluate whether or not we are getting the patrols by NOPD to deter all types of crime," he said.

Anyone with information on any of the Algiers homicides is asked to call Crimestoppers at 504.822.1111.